"King Zog flees!"
We don't often get requests, but our look at the 'Steptoe And Son' episode 'Divided We Stand' (27th March 1972, despite what it says in certain books!) was the result of a YouTube comment, for which we must thank the account going by the mysterious name of Random.
It was an interesting one to pick as we have a copy of the script in the 1988 book 'The Best Of Steptoe And Son' and it's produced by a one David Croft, who was brought in at short notice to stand in for John Howard Davies after he fell ill.
It's a simple enough idea, relying on the two lead actors to carry it alone until the final few seconds, but they know precisely what they're doing.
The use of that week's edition of 'Radio Times' (19th March) shows how close to the wire the recordings of these episodes were running (even if the schedule Albert and Harold argue over is made up for dramatic effect). If your producer is feeling unwell, just flag down whoever happens to be in the corridor at the time!
We remember the excitement of stripping away old wallpaper in the 70s, but we're less fond of false teeth, so the sight of them bumping up and down in Wilfrid Brambell's mouth definitely has the intended effect.
When it comes to a choice between a silver Georgian pepper pot or a wooden one shaped like a cat, we'd probably go for the cheaper option, but what do we know?
Our video about 'Divided We Stand' can be seen here.
Our tribute to Alan Simpson was on Episode Seven of 'Round The Archives' which can be heard here.
(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)
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